Published: February 24, 2009
Being a rookie is never an easy thing, it’s that much tougher when you’re a young big man trying to battle in the paint against grown men that have more experience and weight behind them. Kevin Love’s NBA career reflected this as he got off to a slow start in November while averaging 8.4 points and 6.1 rebounds. A couple months into his NBA career it looks like he’s finally starting to find his groove and he has been averaging 12.2 points and 10.3 rebounds in just over 25 minutes per game since January 1, 2009.
After a recent game against Toronto the talented rookie talked with the media about not playing in the fourth quarter of Minnesota’s past two games, what it’s like to have Kevin McHale to teach and mentor him on a daily basis and how he is adapting to different defensive assignments.
Sit back, relax and enjoy some insight into Kevin Love’s rookie season.
Reporter: Are you adapting late in games to defensive match-ups and what it takes to stop guys? Especially one of the main match-ups like a guy in Chris Bosh. Are you learning on the job what it takes to stop other teams top scoring options?
Kevin Love: Yeah, I have to. I think for a rookie big man it’s probably the toughest thing to do when you go up against a long, athletic guy like Chris Bosh who can go inside or outside. I’m learning on the job, even when I’m sitting on the bench in the fourth quarter.
Reporter: What’s that like having back-to-back fourth quarter where you haven’t had the chance to be out there?
Love: I’d rather be a finisher than a starter but that’s up to the coaches. I’ve been a finisher my whole life so this is a bit of a change but hopefully I’ll get into games (soon).
Reporter: You guys got off to a hot start tonight by scoring 37 points in the first quarter but you seemed to cool off. Was that due to defensive breakdowns or is it just one of those things where the home team gets on a roll?
Love: I think it was a little bit of both. We had to stop there run and get through that and then they hit some big shots down the stretch. (Andrea) Bargnani and (Chris) Bosh really stepped up for them.
Ryan McNeill: You have the benefit of having one of the best post player to ever play the game coach and mentor you on a daily basis. In fact, as I walked into the locker room after the game I saw Kevin McHale teaching you something about the game tonight. How beneficial to your development has it been to have McHale take over the head coaching duties with this team?
Love: It’s helped big time. Since he’s taken over the coaching job he’s been trying to help me out. Our main goal has really been on the defensive end and I really just need to keep improving on that. He said this season for me is just about trial and error as I try to figure out what works and what doesn’t. I plan to work all summer and come in next season 100 per cent better.
Reporter: It’s been tough for you guys defensively without Al Jefferson. Was this another night tonight where you could have really used him on the boards?
Love: Yeah, of course. Absolutely. I feel like having a presence in there as a shot blocker and rebounder… just as a guy who clogs the lane and blocks out the middle like him really helps us out. I’ve never really been known as a shot blocker or intimidator type player so we loved having him there and we miss him.
Photo Credit: ICON Sports Media
